Aerospace Engineer-Aircraft Icing

Aerospace Engineer

The Aerospace Engineer plans and accomplishes highly complex and challenging projects/programs and other work activities under the minimal direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced engineer. Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles, theories, and concepts applicable to solve complex aircraft icing problems. Understands and applies new technologies and methodologies to develop improved technical processes. Draws on experience to solve unusual problems and may create new solutions and policy interpretations as needed.

Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced engineer.

Works to ensure standardized application of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness requirements worldwide. Provides policy, guidance, and instruction to others, internally and externally. Develops plans, techniques, and policies to address current or anticipated problems and issues.

Uses cutting-edge engineering analysis and modeling to support safe and effective certification. Develops predictive models that enhance operational safety and inform future FAA policy, certification guidance, and decision-making. Assesses the accuracy and reliability of computational tools used to simulate aircraft icing conditions. Leads efforts to validate these models using wind tunnel data, flight test results, and publicly available datasets to evaluate ice accretion on aircraft surface.

Ensures that modeling techniques support certification decisions and align with FAA safety standards.

Considers the objectives of the Aircraft Certification Service and the FAA when developing, integrating and implementing solutions to technical issues. Lead the development, refinement, and improvement of airworthiness standards, advisory circulars, and guidance materials related to aircraft icing and new ice protection systems. Works to ensure these standards reflect current industry practices and are applied consistently worldwide. Interprets and applies knowledge of the aircraft certification process and regulatory requirements for aircraft icing in parts 23, 25, 27, and 29 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

Proposes, defines, and oversees research associated with new or novel designs or technologies. Develops innovative approaches within broad policy guidance to address emerging technical challenges. Plans and manages multiple high-priority engineering initiatives related to aircraft icing standards and certification. Develops program objectives, sets measurable performance goals, and adjusts tasks and timelines to meet changing needs and ensure successful outcomes. Defines, organizes, and assigns resources to accomplish organizational objectives.

Allocates resources to accomplish large work activities within established schedules. Leads the implementation of technical programs by coordinating resources, setting milestones, and tracking progress across multiple projects. Ensures alignment with FAA safety objectives and adjusts plans as needed to respond to emerging issues or shifting priorities. Frequently works across functional and/or organizational lines. Represents FAA as a senior technical point of contact on aircraft icing projects, programs, and inter-agency initiatives.

Coordinates significant technical matters with representatives of externally organizations. Communicates results and policy implications to all levels of the FAA within the Aircraft Certification Service, to counterparts in other lines of business such as the Flight Standards Service, the Office of Next Gen, and to the public. Presents briefings to obtain consensus/approval on policies. Develops strategic responses to safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other internal/external entities.

Provides policy, guidance and instruction to others, internally and externally, resolving most technical issues without management.